Dissecting the Process of Addiction Treatment: A Focus on Withdrawal

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Stories regarding abuse of addictive substances and the necessity for addiction treatment are no longer new. People get to read and hear them all the time from radio and TV stations, from newspapers and magazines, and online. But no matter how often said stories are heard or read by addicts, they still continue to do whatever it is that feeds their addiction.Many who do not understand the nature of such a mental illness end up feeling confused about this. They think that straying from substance abuse is a simple feat. But this thinking does not explain why it is so hard to persuade these people to seek addiction treatment.

Addiction Affects Brain Chemistry

What they do not know is that addictive substances have the ability to bind themselves to various brain parts and results to several effects on the person using them. One of these effects concerns dopamine, which is the neurotransmitter of everything related to pleasure. Apparently, addictive substances often boost the levels of dopamine in the brain, making the user feel heightened pleasure every time he consumes said substances.

But despite this seemingly desirable effect on their part, such abusive usage of addictive and dangerous substances cannot continue. Doing so could eventually result to harmful effects to the person of the addict, to his work, to his relationships and to other aspects of his life. This is why it is but important that he be made to undergo addiction treatment as soon as possible.

Addiction Treatment

Unfortunately, addiction treatment is not a linear process that can be followed with much ease and simplicity. Depending on various factors and circumstances, each treatment plan or program may vary. A plan that is sufficient for one may not be necessarily appropriate for the condition of another person.

However, there are certain cases when a part of the addiction treatment applied to a certain group of people may also be applied to another. For instance, those addicted to cocaine are usually made to undergo detoxification in the same way that marijuana addicts are. The process would only vary as to the manner employed, the medications used and the period dedicated for such purpose.But to get a holistic understanding of the addiction treatment process, it is better to educate yourself as regards the sub-processes that form part it. Only by comprehending the parts can one have a full understanding of the whole mechanism. It is then necessary to pose this question: what usually takes place in the process of treating addiction?

The addiction treatment process may generally be categorized in three parts or phases, which are detoxification as the first phase, rehabilitation as the second phase and lastly, alteration or adjustment of behavior and thought patterns of the addict. But among these three categories, it is during the first phase that addicts get to experience so much difficulty.

Video Credit: Rapid Detox Drug Detox Rapid Detoxification by opiatescom

Detox

Detoxification is basically the process wherein the addict is made to discontinue his use of the substance or do the things he is addicted to. The purpose of this phase obviously presents a bit of a challenge since the nature of addiction as a mental illness makes the addict unwilling to stop from engaging in the concerned addictive activity or from using the addictive substance involved. But apart from that, there is another thing that scares addicts from ever wanting to submit themselves to addiction treatment, and that is withdrawal and everything that comes with it.

An In Depth Discussion on Withdrawal

As earlier stated, in detoxifying an addict as required in the addiction treatment process, he may undergo a phase called withdrawal. This is the immediate effect of the separation of said individual from the thing he is addicted to, which is typically in the form of a mind-altering substance like alcohol, recreational drugs and prescription medications.

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Symptoms of withdrawal normally occur when the addicts are made to abruptly stop their usage of addictive substances after prolonged usage of the same.These symptoms may differ depending on the kind of addictive substance used, the length of time that such was taken and the quantity consumed during that period. But despite these differences, said symptoms have a similar characteristic: making the addicts feel worse. Said symptoms are generally feelings of discomfort, anxiety, extreme cravings, and depression, which comprise the one of the reasons why addicts would not want to be bothered with addiction treatment, if given the choice.

There are even cases when withdrawals have the tendency to become fatal, especially when the substance to which the person is addicted to is alcohol or benzodiazepines. Apart from this, there are also indications that withdrawal from medications taken because of medical conditions like heart diseases and epilepsy can result to life threatening symptoms. The reason for this is that there are times when the substances taken mask disease, pain, hunger or sleeplessness, causing serious symptoms once consumption of the same is suddenly stopped during addiction treatment.

Nevertheless, overcoming addiction is still necessary because leaving such a disease untreated can lead to disastrous effects as emphasized by the health reports in Harvard Health Publications. Besides, withdrawal symptoms can be properly managed with the help of medical care during the process of addiction treatment.

Close monitoring by a physician is needed to prevent the possible serious side effects of withdrawal, especially when the substance involved is a prescribed medication for other mental disorders or physical conditions.
Such medical aid is vital for the proper recovery of the addict since the side effects or symptoms of withdrawal can continue until such point in time when the symptoms would begin to dissipate. And so, if you know someone addicted to a certain dangerous substance, make sure that you seek the help of a professional before making that person quit. This is to prevent any unnecessary harmful side effects on his person such as worsened illness, malnutrition, etc. as a result of your efforts in making him get addiction treatment.

If you are in need of such professional assistance on addiction treatment right now, call Hawaii Island Recovery at 866-515-5032.